Rhode Island: Eroded Stronghold

Rhode Island has elected only Democrats
to Congress since 1940 and, in proportion to its size, gave John
Kennedy and Lyndon Johnson the biggest majorities of any state. Yet in
a special election last week to fill a vacant seat in the Second
Congressional District, the Republicans came within a gnat's eyelash of
winning.

Though a recount was under way this week, Democrat Robert Tiernan had
apparently held the district for his party. But his plurality at week's
end was so slight410 votes out of 113,500 castthat defeated
Republican James DiPrete Jr. (rhymes with street) and his supporters
sounded more...